La Salle Sets a New Campus Blood Drive Record
for the American Red Cross

La Salle students, faculty, and staff donated 246 pints of blood during a two-day blood drive this month for the American Red Cross—a record in the 18-year history of bi-annual blood drives at the University.

“This year’s fall drive collection of 246 pints is a 16 percent increase over last year’s drive,” said Lauren Montanaro, College Key Account Manager for the American Red Cross. “As a La Salle alumna and member of the American Red Cross family, I am very proud of the lifesaving work the University does.”

In the weeks prior to the blood drive,15 student organizations such as the Students’ Government Association, Peer Educators, Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania, African American Student League, and many fraternities and sororities set up 28 recruitment tables to line up donors.

“Our student organizations really did a great job recruiting the campus community, as well as volunteering their time during the blood drives,” said Lane Neubauer, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Students Affairs for Counseling and Health Services. “We had a lot of first-time donors this time, which is great because most first-time donors turn into repeat donors.”

According to the American Red Cross, one pint of blood can save up to three lives, which means La Salle’s blood drive may save more than 700 lives.

“It is really great to see the campus come together for this—it’s really a community collaboration,” said Neubauer. “When I was donating, I saw students, faculty, staff, Christian Brothers, including Brother Mike (Brother Michael J. McGinniss, F.S.C., La Salle’s President) also donating. We really have a campus culture of looking beyond one’s own needs to see the needs of our broader global community.”